Partick V Ross County at Firhill Stadium : Match Preview

09 May 2014 06:31

Partick Thistle left-back Aaron Taylor-Sinclair is destined for a summer move to England, according to manager Alan Archibald.

The left-back has been linked with Celtic and Aberdeen but Archibald expects him to move further afield when his contract expires after Saturday's game against Ross County.

Thistle will miss out on compensation as the age limit is 23 for cross-border moves rather than 24 for internal transfers, but Archibald will remain grateful for the defender's contribution.

"I think Aaron's going to go," said Archibald, who is expected to have an unchanged squad. "He has said that all along. He's been a credit to himself, his family and the club in the way he has carried out his business on the pitch.

"He's stated that he wants to go and play down south. We wish him all the best, he's a true professional. I think he has only missed one game this year, through suspension.

"He turned 23 last month so we'll lose out on that (compensation) but we have had three great years from him. He has barely missed a training session or a game."

Taylor-Sinclair can have a memorable farewell at Firhill as Thistle bid to stay in seventh place in the Scottish Premiership.

"Our remit was to stay in the league and we have done that fantastically well," Archibald said. "And now we have the chance to finish seventh, which would surpass any expectation.

"It makes a massive difference. The chairman has already said that any more money we get will go right back into the player budget. So it can only help us to move forward.

"It could be the difference between getting an extra player or someone we thought we couldn't afford."

Some of the extra money is set to go Archibald's way after Jags chairman David Beattie stated his manager would be handed an improved contract after they secured their top-flight status with a 4-2 win at Hearts on Wednesday.

Archibald joked: "The first I heard about a new deal was on the TV last night but I'll be holding him to it."

The Thistle boss has impressed with the way he has guided a young group of players to safety while playing the expansive, passing football that got them promoted.

"We have stuck to our principles and our beliefs and our young players," the 36-year-old said.

"We've got a young group and umpteen people have come up to me in the street and said 'stop doing this, stop doing that, this is the way to go'. But you've got to always stick by your beliefs.

"As soon as you change the way you want to do things and start doing it someone else's way, you're only going to fail."

Ross County midfielder Filip Kiss has refused to rule out a return to Dingwall after the end of his loan stint.

The Slovakian international is due to return to parent club Cardiff after his final Staggies run-out away to Partick on Saturday.

But with the Bluebirds' relegation from the Barclays Premiership now confirmed, Kiss is unsure what boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has in plan for him.

However, the 23-year-old has enjoyed his spell in the Highlands so much he is willing to listen to any offer County boss Derek Adams is prepared to make.

He said: "I'm just focused on the last game with County. After that I have to go back to Cardiff, so we will see what happens after that.

"You never know what might happen. I would love to come back because I have been treated so well here."

County were second bottom of the Scottish Premiership at the turn of the year and appeared destined to finish in the relegation play-offs.

But Kiss was one of seven new arrivals signed in January who have helped turn their season around.

The 1-0 win over Hibernian on Wednesday confirmed the team's survival for the second season running.

Now Kiss wants to repay Adams and the rest of the County coaching staff for the faith shown in him by helping them to finish as the best of the bottom six.

Kiss said: "I've got a real connection with this club. They have treated me well and I've enjoyed my time here. It is completely different to my situation at Cardiff, where I wasn't getting an opportunity.

"I'm grateful for the chance to play here and it has helped me improve as a player and a person as well. Now I want to give them back as much as I can.

"There is still a lot to play for as we can move up to finish in seventh or eighth so I'm looking forward to the game with Partick."